THE CATHOLIC MIRROR Vol. 52, No. 10 October 19, 2018 Vatican reviewing Congratulations on 50 Years McCarrick case, vows to Bishop Pates celebrates 50th anniversary pursue truth of ordination to priesthood as he prepares for retirement By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Promising a thorough review of how the Vatican handled al- legations of sexual misconduct by former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, the Vatican acknowl- edged that what happened may fall short of the procedures that are in place today. “The Holy See is con- scious that, from the examina- Bishop Richard Pates receives a Minnesota Vikings tion of the facts and of the cir- jersey with Deacon Jim Obradovich looking on. cumstances, it may emerge that choices were taken that would not be consonant with a contem- Bishop Richard Pates celebrated his anniversary and porary approach to such issues. upcoming retirement at St. Ambrose Cathedral on Oct. However, as Pope Francis has 14 with family. Pictured left to right are his brother, said: ‘We will follow the path Hugh, and grand nieces Mariah and Skyler. of truth wherever it may lead,’” the Vatican said in statement re- leased Oct. 6. The Executive Com- mittee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had said in Au- gust that they would seek such Bishop Emeritus Jo- an investigation, and leaders of seph Charron, C.PP.S. the bishops’ conference met with joined Bishop Richard Pope Francis Sept. 13 to tell him Pates in his celebration. Bishop Richard Pates celebrated his anniversary and how the church in the United upcoming retirement at St. Patrick Church in Council States has been “lacerated by the Bluffs on Oct. 13. evil of sexual abuse.” After the meeting with the pope, neither the bishops nor the Vatican mentioned an inves- tigation. However, the president and vice president of the con- ference -- Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles -- are at the Vati- can for the Synod of Bishops and are likely to meet the pope again Oct. 8. Renewing its commit- ment to uncovering the truth, the Vatican also said that infor- mation gathered from its inves- tigation as well as “a further thorough study” of its archives regarding the former cardinal will be released “in due course.” “Both abuse and its cover-up can no longer be tol- erated and a different treatment for bishops who have commit- ted or covered up abuse, in fact represents a form of clericalism Representatives of the diocese’s international communities came together Oct. 7 to wish Bishop Richard Pates farewell as he prepares to retire and as he celebrates his 50th anniversary of ordination to priesthood. See his column on page 2, and more pictures on page 16 Continued on page 12 2 The Catholic Mirror October 19, 2018 www.dmdiocese.org In the Heartland with Bishop Pates Gratitude On Dec.. 20, 1968, I was permanent deacons, well- It is our ongoing call to in the world today. joined by 62 other seminarian grounded religious women introduce one another and In sum total, my classmates from the United and an ever-willing staff at others to a relationship with 50 years as priest and 10 as By States at the North American the Catholic Pastoral Center. Jesus, the Lord, who has the Bishop of Des Moines have College on a walk through Bishop Moreover, the lay leadership words of life. Contact with him been incomparable. The special gates. They were open Richard within the community has gives way to deeper bonding blessed years have been totally only on rare occasions. This was Pates guided us with well-trained with this God which is most unearned on my part but greatly one. We were on our way to St. competency that knows no fulfilling and holds the keys cherished. No wonder my heart Peter’s Basilica for ordination bounds. Derived from their to ultimate happiness. God is full of gratitude. to priesthood by Bishop Francis 45 marriages that first year with secular skills and bottomless provides the ligaments bonding Reh, rector of the college. this community. generosity, they have together the gifts each of us has. It was an extraordinarily The experience of an demonstrated what it means to And so, from God’s gifts we memorable moment for me intense lifestyle validated the be Church, truly involved at become One Body, One Body as it culminated 12 years of call I had received. The time every level. of Christ. We are Christ’s Body preparation for priesthood. I spent was exciting, touched the remember Bishop Reh laying full gamut of life stages of those his hands on my head, realizing I ministered to and brought great that with his instrumentality and satisfaction. All began well. through the power of the Holy Some 49 years later, I New Emmaus House director greets community Spirit, I was fully identified still have the appetite for service with Christ the priest. It was as priest. The experience has truly the fulfillment of a long greatly varied but the one anticipated joy. constant is putting people in The excitement of touch with God so that their the day was heightened by the lives might reach the fullness presence of my parents and of meaning and develop into a family whom I had not been close relationship with Jesus. with during the three and a My life is enjoyable and filled half years in Rome. My folks with challenging times. I had been highly supportive of often say that if I were to live my vocation and so, they too, a thousand lives, I would live regaled in the identity conferred each as a priest. on me. Thus, my heart is filled My first assignment with gratitude for the blessings as priest was to the Blessed that have been mine. I can Sacrament Parish on the east testify to the happiness that has side of St. Paul, Minnesota. accommodated challenges and The pastor, Monsignor Frank bumpy roads along the way. Curtin, was an extraordinarily In my great, good kind and outgoing individual fortune, I have been able who, unfortunately, was to spend the last 10 years suffering from a painful case of surrounded by hearty Iowans cancer. He determined that he as bishop. I knew very few would take the funerals since members in this community there were no brides’ mothers to when I first came. After I made contend with. In turn, I would the rounds of the 23 counties, I Photo by Anne Marie Cox do the weddings. Given the knew I was blessed once again. demographics of the parish, that It has been most New Emmaus House co-director Kevin O’Donnell (right) greets people from the meant I eventually witnessed rewarding to align with dedicated community at a recent open house. Visiting with O’Donnell are Don and Carolyn priests, zealous and spirited Cleborad, of St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale. THE CATHOLIC Bishop’s Schedule Friday, October 19 Cathedral and Bishop’s Saturday, October 27 Friday, November 9 MIRROR Des Moines – “In the Heartland Residence, 12:10 p.m. St. Paul, MN – Wedding of Des Moines – Catholic with Bishop Pates”, Iowa Waukee – Diocesan Allegation Kaitlin Verhulst and Neil Horan, Foundation of Southwest Iowa Bishop Richard E. Pates Catholic Radio, Des Moines; Review Committee, St. Church of the Assumption, 2:30 Board, Catholic Pastoral Center, Publisher KVSS, Omaha, 9 a.m. Boniface, 5:30 p.m. p.m. 7:30 a.m. [email protected] Washington, D.C. – Catholic Des Moines – “In the Heartland Climate Covenant Board Tuesday, October 23 Sunday, October 28 – with Bishop Pates”, Iowa Anne Marie Cox Meeting, 9 a.m. Des Moines – Andrew Dinner, Wednesday, November 7 Catholic Radio, Des Moines; Editor St. Augustin Parish, 6 p.m. Rome -- North American KVSS, Omaha, 9 a.m. [email protected] Saturday, October 20 College reunion and visit to Des Des Moines – Diocesan Stuart – Installation Mass for Wednesday, October 24 Moines’ seminarians attending Executive Committee, Pastoral Kelly Mescher Collins Father Antony Mathew, All Des Moines – Diocesan the college Center, 1 p.m. Staff Writer Saints Parish, 4:30 p.m. Executive Committee, Pastoral [email protected] Center, 1 p.m. Friday, November 2 Saturday, November 10 – Sunday, October 21 Des Moines – “In the Heartland Thursday, November 15 Adair – Installation Mass for Thursday, October 25 with Bishop Pates”, Iowa Baltimore – U.S. Conference of The Catholic Mirror (ISSN Father Antony Mathew, St. John Kansas City – Presenter at Catholic Radio, Des Moines; Catholic Bishops 0896-6869) is published Parish, 8 a.m. A Day for Parish Staffs, St. KVSS, Omaha, 9 a.m. monthly for $20 per year by the Diocese of Des Moines, Stuart – Installation Mass for Charles Borromeo Parish Friday, November 16 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Father Antony Mathew, All Thursday, November 8 Des Moines – “In the Heartland Iowa 50309. Periodicals post- Saints Parish, 10 a.m. Friday, October 26 Des Moines – Vocation Office, with Bishop Pates”, Iowa age paid at Des Moines. Des Moines – Confirmation and Des Moines – “In the Heartland Catholic Pastoral Center, 8:30 Catholic Radio, Des Moines; POSTMASTER: Send changes Reception, Holy Trinity Parish, with Bishop Pates”, Iowa a.m. KVSS, Omaha, 9 a.m. to THE CATHOLIC MIR- 1 p.m. Catholic Radio, Des Moines; Des Moines – Presbyteral ROR, 601 Grand Ave., Des Des Moines – Mass at Catholic KVSS, Omaha, 9 a.m. Council, Catholic Pastoral Moines, Iowa 50309. Youth Rally, Hy-Vee Hall, 4 St. Paul, MN – Rehearsal Center, 10:30 a.m. PHONE: (515)237-5046 p.m.